The Big Hill and The Spiral Tunnel Route
This train is about to enter Tunnel 3 on the steep climb for Kicking Horse Pass. Mount Stephen towers 10495 feet high, a testament to the mountain range the Canadian Pacific Railroad had to overcome. This spot is the the transition from the original remaining portion of the 2.4% grade and the new 2.2% Spiral Tunnel alignment. The Spiral Tunnel route was completed in 1909, and was modeled after the Gothard Tunnels in Switzerland. A similar design was once contemplated to cross the San Juans in Colorado. Canadian Pacific's Spiral Tunnel reduced the grade from 4.5-5% to 2.2-2.4% making the route a viable transcontinental railroad route.
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